Chain dispenser

ABSTRACT

A device for dispensing a desired length of chain from a closed container having an opening in one side thereof comprising a plate formed of resilient material for disposition within said container opening and having a dispensing aperture developed by intersecting slots which latter define gripping fingers for allowing passage of the material from the container while restraining same against return thereinto.

United States Patent I lnventor Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Don M. Schlueter Maryville, Mo.

Nov. 26, 1968 Jan. 19, 1971 Lloyd Chain Corporation Maryville, Mo.

CHAIN DISPENSER 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl.....

Int. Cl

Field of Search [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 819,6785/1906 Simmons 206/63.5 2,015,653 10/1935 Andrews 221/310X 2,020,663 11/ 1935 Stapleford 206/63.5X 2,553,232 5/1951 Beyer 206/6315 2,648,4298/1953 Smith 221/310X 3,375,918 4/1968 Platky 206/56(M) PrimaryExaminer-Samuel F. Coleman Attorney-Ralph W. Kalish ABSTRACT: A devicefor dispensing a desired length of chain from a closed container havingan opening in one side thereof comprising a plate formed of resilientmaterial for disposition within said container opening and having adispensing aperture developed by intersecting slots which latter definegripping fingers for allowing passage of the material from the containerwhile restraining same against return thereinto.

PATENTED JAN! 9197! FIG. 4

FIG. 3

INVENTOF! DON M. SCHLUETER BY 03 w K M ATTORNEY CHAIN DISPENSER Thisinvention relates in general to dispensers for continuous material and,more particularly, to a dispensing device for continuous lengths ofchain. 1

It is an object of the present invention to provide a chain dispensingdevice which is adapted for use with cartons as made of fiberboard,cardboard and the like, so as to permit of use of relatively cheaplyproduced containers as distinguished from the metal containerscustomarily heretofore utilized.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chaindispensing device constituting a lightweight, easily formed plateadapted for facile installation upon a standard carton withoutnecessitating costly or time-consuming modification of the latter.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chaindispensing device suitably formed to provide elements engaging the chainto allow ready withdrawal of the same from the associated containerwhile preventinginadvertent return of the same thereinto.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chaindispensing device of the character stated which may be most cheaplymanufactured so that, if desired, the same, together with the associatedcarton, may be disposed after exhaustion of the initially retainedchain.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a chaindispensing device which will permit of shipment of the container withsaid device in mounted disposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by referencecharacters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, 1 generally designates a container, such as ofcarton type, being fabricated, as of fiberboard, cardboard, or the like,which is in fully closed state and is provided with an opening 2 in onewall, as at 3 thereof; said wall being the one presented upwardly orforwardly during usage. As illustrated in FIG. 1, wall 3 may becomprised of a pair of cooperating closure flaps 4,5 having coordinatingrecesses 4', w 5 for development of opening 2 when said flaps 4,5 are incarton-closing condition.

gers, I designated 10,10 and 11,11; the former being resilientlybendable about axes normal to those about which the latter are sobendable. In inoperative condition, opening 9 is of considerably lesscross section than the links of chain to be dispensed by said device 6.

In usage, container 1 is provided with a continuous length of chain Cand one free end thereof is pulled through opening 9 causing outwardurging of fingers 10,10, 11,11, which byreason of the material ofconstruction, are biased inwardly or toward the plate of plate 7 so thatthe same snu ly en a e the portion of the chain extending therethroughsee 2).

fingers 10,10, 11,1-1 are released for tight embracing,

through inherent bias, of the particular link or links, designated 12,of chain C'within opening 9 at that juncture.

Chain C is thereby prevented by device 6 from inadvertently returningcompletely within container 1 so that a portion of said chain C,.-is at13, will be caused to remain exteriorly of carton 1 for facilitatingsubsequent withdrawing as required. I

As is apparent from the foregoing, container 1 and plate 7 may be soeconomically manufactured that the same may be discarded upon depletionof the chain supply originally provided. However, reusage may be easilyeffected, as by opening of flaps 4,5, through withdrawal of the staples8 for resupplying of the container 1; with reclosure being easilyeffected. Opening 9 provides a convenient holding point for retainingsaid plate 7 in position during securement of the staples 8.

The present invention thus adapts cheaply manufactured containers forchain shipping and dispensing, as at a retail establishment, obviatingthe use of costly metal containers which have customarily beenmaintained in an open state, per- 'mitting of the entry of moisture,debris and other foreign coveringly .of said opening, said plate havinga central aperture and intersecting elongated slots with the point ofintersection Mounted on the inside face of wall 3 for disposition'acrossopening 2, is a chain dispensing device -6 comprising a flat plate 7, aformed of a suitable plastic, ,having alimited'inherent resiliency. Saidplate 7 may be maintainedin operative position by any convenient means,such as, by; means of staples or like fasteners s used for joining flaps4,5. It is, of course, obvious that plate 7 may be fixed in position byother means, including adhesives,-' a retaining pocket, and the like;Fonned substantially centrally of plate 7 for exposure within opening 2,is a pair of slots or elongated apertures 8,8 which intersected, inX-forma'tion, at acentral opening 9. Said slots 8,8 and opening 9 definetwo pair of opposed gripping'fincoinciding with the said aperture, firstand second pair of opposed gripping fingers defined by said plateaperture and slots; said fingers being inherently biased into planaraligned condition with respect to said plate; said first pair ofgripping fingers being resiliently bendable about an axis normal to thecorresponding axis of said second pair of gripping fingers, said chainbeing lengthwise dispensable through said aperture; said aperture havinga transverse extent less than the width of said chain so that upon theapplication of a withdrawal force upon same, said gripping'fingers .willbe flexingly urged by said chain 'against their inherent bias outwardlyof the plane of said plate to permit passage of said chain and upontermination of chain withdrawal 'said gripping fingers will be returnedinwardly toward the plane of said plate under influence of said inherentfor effecting snug engagement of the adjacent portion of said chaintherebetween to prevent return of same to within the container.

1. The combination of a container having an opening in one wall, a length of chain stored within said container for dispensing, and of a dispenser plate constructed of relatively rigid, yet resilient material and secured to said container wall coveringly of said opening, said plate having a central aperture and intersecting elongated slots with the point of intersection coinciding with the said aperture, first and second pair of opposed gripping fingers defined by said plate aperture and slots; said fingers being inherently biased into planar aligned condition with respect to said plate; said first pair of gripping fingers being resiliently bendable about an axis normal to the corresponding axis of said second pair of gripping fingers, said chain being lengthwise dispensable through said aperture; said aperture having a transverse extent less than the width of said chain so that upon the application of a withdrawal force upon same, said gripping fingers will be flexingly urged by said chain against their inherent bias outwardly of the plane of said plate to permit passage of said chain and upon termination of chain withdrawal said gripping fingers will be returned inwardly toward the plane of said plate under influence of said inherent bias for effecting snug engagement of the adjacent portiOn of said chain therebetween to prevent return of same to within the container. 